Linda Ocloo opens on NDC alleged vote buying in Ablekuma North

Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo has dismissed allegations of vote-buying directed at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubynn, during the constituency’s rerun elections.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News’ Jude Duncan, Ocloo clarified that what some are referring to as vote-buying is simply assistance with transportation, often known as T&T (Transport and Travelling), to help voters return to their polling stations to cast their ballots.

“People have to come and vote, so if such people come, you have to give them the T&T to go and vote. I do not think that is vote buying. If you think that is vote buying, you can also go and buy their vote, it’s as simple as that,” she said.

She explained that helping voters with transportation costs does not amount to buying votes, especially when those voters are already loyal to the party.

“If someone is loyal to you, why wouldn’t such a person vote for you with or without money? I do not think giving the person transportation is going to affect the integrity,” Ocloo said.

The Minister recounted how she had made her personal contact number public during a media appearance, which led to several calls from potential voters from places like Tarkwa and Kumasi, asking for help to return to their constituencies and vote.

“I told them that when they come, they should give me a call for their T&T. We are not giving out money. I am saying that we are supporting them with their T&T. When someone calls you, saying that he or she doesn’t have money for transportation, and I tell them to hail a car and I will pay, is that vote buying?” she asked.

She further stressed that the claims being made were politically motivated and that all political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), provide similar support to their loyal voters.

“If the person is from the NPP, I do not think that such a person will call me for obvious reasons. It means such a person is already aligned with us. And equally, in the NPP, people call them for money for T&T,” she added.

The parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North is being conducted in 19 polling stations after disputes during the 2024 general elections left the constituency without a Member of Parliament. Both the NDC and NPP are vying for control of the seat and have expressed strong confidence in their chances of winning.